Eagles battling to overcome early obstacles

Although Oran started its season with an early upset of Bell City and a second-place finish in the Oran Tournament, coach Mitch Wood would characterize his team's start as trying, at best.

With several players out with injuries and sickness, Wood has had to use a patchwork lineup week in and week out.

There have been few practices this season in which everyone's been healthy, Wood said.

"It seems like it hit all at one time," he said.

While last year's top players, Nathan Seyer and Ryne Wood, are continuing top-level play, the Eagles have not had the depth they expected coming into the season. The Eagles (4-2) have even had to bring players up from the junior-varsity team to fill in at times.

"I've had someone out or someone hurt probably every game so far," Wood said.

Seyer and Wood are again the top scorers on the team, creating a steadying influence as the team struggles with injuries.

"That's basically what was expected," Wood said.

One player Wood has been pleasantly surprised with is Patrick Friga. Friga has had several strong games early, even though he wasn't expected to be a big scorer before the season started.

"Friga's had a couple of good games," Wood said.

The Eagles will head into the seMissourian Christmas Tournament looking to better their fourth-place finish last season. With a No. 5 seed, the Eagles will take on a rebuilding Scott County Central program in the first round.

If the team is healthy and playing up to its potential, the Eagles should have a good chance of bettering last year's finish, Wood said.

"We're looking to do as good as we can," he said.

Although Oran likely would have to face Class 3 and 4 teams to make it through to the final, Wood said with such strong small schools like Bell City, Advance and Oran, he wouldn't be surprised to see a Class 1 team come out on top.

"Small schools have shown it's possible to win it," he said.

The Christmas tournament will not be a make-or-break situation for Oran while the team continues to get healthy. The Eagles still have their top seven back from last year, and once those seven are able to practice and play together, the Eagles could get on a roll.

"It's just a matter of putting things together," Wood said.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

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